Irish Whiskey Alchemy & Artistry at Hinch Distillery
Join us as we get “Lost Outside of Belfast” when we take a 25-minute cab ride from the city center to Hinch Distillery in bucolic County Down. With Head Distiller Will Stafford as our guide, we explore the sensory journey of whiskey making from the meticulous process of mashing, fermentation, and distillation to savoring the heady aromas of the “angels’ share” seeping from the aged wooden barrels shacked ceiling-high in the cavernous Hinch whiskey warehouse.
Next, Claire McLernon guides us through a tasting of Hinch's range of whiskeys and its Ninth Wave gin, highlighting the different flavor profiles achieved through the distiller’s alchemy and artistry.
Founder Dr. Terry Cross then joins in to share what it takes to succeed in the increasingly competitive whiskey business and talks up the business opportunities he finds at the Belfast International Homecoming, a yearly marquee business event that your co-hosts attended the previous evening, which we’ll explore in a future Irish Stew episode.
Pull up a stool and join us for a happy hour at Hinch.
Hinch Links
Episode Details: Season 7, Episode 12; Total Episode Count: 115
00:00 - Introduction
00:00 - Tasting the Fifteen Year Old - Sherry Cask Finish
02:38 - Will Stafford Background
07:08 - Coming to Hinch Distillery
09:59 - Grain, Whiskey, Stills, Flavor and Patience
13:18 - All About Casks and Barrels
17:34 - Getting Distribution
19:18 - The Hinch Visitor Experience
21:00 - Mash Conversion and Triple Distillation
27:25 - Visting the Angel's Breath
31:28 - The Spectrum Room - Whiskey Color in Action
34:52 - Meeting Claire McLernon
36:31 - Tasting the 4 Year Old
40:05 - Tasting the 5 Year Double Wood
42:06 - Tasting the 5 Year Stout Cask Finished
45:00 - Tasting the 15 Year Sherry Cask Finished
46:28 - Hinch: Nearby Attractions
48:02 - Tasting Ninth Wave Gin
51:45 - A Chat with Hinch Founder: Dr. Terry Cross
55:05 - John's Recaps the Hinch Experience
56:19 - Credits
Will Stafford
Head Distiller
Will Stafford is an experienced distiller with a demonstrated history of working in the wine and spirits industry. After eight years as a bar manager, he shifted to the spirits industry working as a Distiller in Boatyard Distillery, moving up to Head Distiller for Copeland Spirits and then joining Hinch Distillery in 2021 where he now serves as Distillery Manager and Head Distiller.
Terry Cross
Founder and OBE
Dr Terry Cross OBE is one of the most successful entrepreneurs to emerge in Northern Ireland in recent times. Terry has a lifetime of international business experience in Ireland, UK, People's Republic of China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Asia Pacific, US, Australia, and Europe.
Until recently, he was the Chairman and CEO of Delta Print & Packaging Limited, which he founded above a corner shop in North Belfast in 1979. Over the years that followed, his focus on investment, innovation and operational rigor drove constant, profitable growth. Terry is currently Chairman at Hinch Distillery in County Down.
Terry Cross’s interests extend beyond commerce. Since 2008 he has been President of the British Red Cross (NI). He is a Director of West Belfast Greater Shankill Development organization and has been actively involved in the Integrated Education Fund and with Children in Crossfire, helping to bring together children from across the religious divide.
In recent years, his achievements have become recognized worldwide. In 2007 he was made a Distinguished Graduate of the Year, Ulster University, and in 2016 he was awarded an Honorary Doctor of Science by the University. Industry recognition followed in 2013 when he secured the Irish Print Journals Lifetime Achievement Award. In 2016 he was awarded the OBE in the Queen’s New Year’s Honors list. In 2004, Terry was made an Honorable Citizen of the People’s Republic of China in recognition of his contribution to the packaging industry.
Following the premature loss of his son David, Terry Cross has… Read More
Claire McLernon
Senior Tour Guide at Hinch Distillery
Claire McLernon is the Senior Tour Guide at Hinch Distillery.
Claire
